SBG

KENT, WA, FEBRUARY 17, 2018 – Washington State Judo Championships

Straight Blast Gym of Montana’s Stella Davison is one step closer to making the USA Olympic Judo Team.

Davison placed 1st in the International Judo Federation Junior Division at the Washington State Judo Championships.

The 16-year-old athlete and green belt in Judo is reaching for the USA Olympic Judo team. The tournament in Washington is one of many that Davison will compete in this year to rise to the level of Olympic athlete.

Davison said of the experience, “What a great way to start this year’s competitions, and this is only the beginning. I’m looking forward to many more successful tournaments. I will continue to train hard and make the improvements needed to be the best! As always, thank you so much to everyone who continues to support me and goals.”

Davison trains with SBG’s Coach Sean Saadi, a black belt in Judo. Saadi said of the results, “We’ve been preparing since July last year for the 2018 season. Becoming the WA State Champion was a good warm-up to the 7 national tournaments we have planned for 2018. Stella is poised to make Team USA and start climbing the international ranking ladder very soon.”

Davison will leave March 2nd for Pennsylvania, where she will try to earn a spot on the national team.

Straight Blast Gym athletes and coaches traveled to Long Beach, CA to compete with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competitors from around the world in the IBJJF’s international tournament.

Leah Taylor took the bronze medal in Women’s Black Belt Medium Heavy Weight. Coach Travis Davison shared, “Coach Leah Taylor led from the front on Jiu Jitsu’s biggest stage. SBG Montana is lucky to have one of the world’s best female black belts as a coach. She placed 3rd in the world at her weight and lost to last year’s champion. I couldn’t be prouder of her performance.”

Ricky Davison competed in the Juvenile 1 Male Blue Belt Featherweight Division, and Stella Davison competed in the Juvenile 1 Female Blue Belt Lightweight Division, taking bronze. This was the first year competing in the tournament for the “wonder twins”, who have trained in SBG’s programs since it first opened in 2008.

Coach Davison said of the experience:

“This year marked the 10th in a row that I’ve attended the World Championships, either as a competitor or a coach. What makes this year unique is that two of my kids competed for the first time. Stella and Ricky Davison were 5 years old the first time I competed at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach. They are 17 years younger than I was and are a whole lot more skilled. They joined SBG competitors from all over the World this weekend.”

SPOKANE, WA, MAY 27, 2017 – Inland Empire Judo Tournament

Straight Blast Gym Judo Team’s impressive skills were on display at Spokane’s Inland Empire Judo Tournament on Saturday, May 27th. This was the third year in a row that the team sent its most experienced athletes to the regional tournament with Ryan Asay and Stella Davison placed 2nd in the Novice brown/black belt divisions.

The team’s impressive performance reflects the continued growth of SBG’s growing Judo program. Coach Sean Saadi said of his athletes:

“This is the third year in a row SBG was represented at the Inland Empire Judo Tournament. There was definitely a buzz around the venue this time, with lots of nervous eyes on us before we even got started. Ryan Asay and Stella Davison did not disappoint, again fighting in two divisions. This competition was on another level. Everyone’s Judo was awesome, but our team was incredible. Both athletes displayed very technical Judo in very hard fought battles in all divisions.”

Salt Lake City, UT, April 29, 2017 – US Judo Nationals

Straight Blast Gym of Montana’s Judo Team competed at US Judo Nationals in Salt Lake City on Saturday, April 29th with each of their competitors collecting medals for their divisions.

Keith Treece had two tough fights in a round robin against a 35-year black belt veteran of the sport, winning his second silver medal at his second US Nationals championships.

Ryan Asay won bronze at his first US Nationals in both the novice and brown belt divisions. All of his matches were tough battles with the added strain of competing in two divisions literally at the same time, running between two mats for the novice and brown belt brackets.
Stella Davison was the youngest competitor at her first Senior US Nationals championships. She competed in novice and brown belt divisions with outstanding performances in very tough matches taking home two silver medals. Davison said,

“I’m incredibly happy with my results at Nationals, it was my first senior level tournament. My performance was inspired by many high level athletes on the USA judo team, including Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison whom I also met on this trip. I was nervous, but I did my absolute best and am very proud to bring home 2 silver medals.”

This was Coach Sean Saadi first showing at the nation’s biggest Judo tournament. “I was really nervous. I caught myself swaying and pacing several times. But the athletes made it easy for me and came through big. Yet again, I received many complements about our athletes and their performances, this time from coaches from all over the country. I’m a very proud coach. Can’t wait until next time!”

For more information about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Yoga, and Fitness call 406-752-7244, email at info@sbgmontana.com, or visit the website at www.sbgmontana.com.

Boise, ID, April 29th & 30th, 2017 – NW Submission Challenge

SBG Montana joined teammates from across the country in Boise’s Northwest Submission Challenge jiu jitsu tournament on April 29th & 30th.

Of the six adult competitors who competed, four placed first in their division. In her first competition as a blue belt Marnic Mann placed 1st in Gi and 2nd in No Gi.

Black belt Gus Nolte won the black belt Absolute Division, took 3rd in the Advanced No Gi Absolute Division, and 2nd in his weight class in the Gi and No Gi.He said, “The Northwest Submission Challenge was phenomenal. SBG was closing out each bracket.” Nolte will be opening SBG Missoula in the summer, where he will be Head Coach in Montana’s third SBG location.

Head Coach Travis Davison said:“SBG swept the Northwest Submission Challenge this past weekend. Winning the overall Team Championship, Gi Championship, No Gi Championship, and taking all the money in the Absolute divisions. The Tribe was represented by competitors from SBG Burien, SBG Portland, SBG Elko, SBG Idaho, SBG Montana and SBG North. The purple belt, brown belt, black belt and advanced No Gi Absolute divisions were all won by competitors from different SBGs. SBG’s training methods are producing predictable results with repeatability, regardless of where, in the world you train. The Revolution is in full swing and what Matt Thornton started over 25 years ago is getting bigger everyday! Viva SBG!”